Motivation for Monday: I missed it!

Sorry I missed Motivation for Monday yesterday. We were busy with our first day of kindergarten. I am so proud of Julian. He just went right into the school day eager to learn and to know what this year's homeschool experience was going to be like with Mom {me}. Last year we used the Letter of the Week and some of the K-4 curriculum from Confessions of a Homeschooler. I still plan to implement the World's Greatest Artists and the Roadtrip USA, so that Julian gets to work on some really cool projects. I want learning to be fun for him. This year we are using the kindergarten curriculum from My Father's World. I was very excited about the literature list. I love to read! I feel at home surrounded by stacks of books. I want my boys to love to read as well. 

I plan to make a picture like this for each year the boys are in school, or as long as they'll let me do it. The best thing I did this summer was paint that wall with chalkboard paint. The old nursery is now our school room. It's not perfect, but it's ours. Here's to a successful school year, no matter if you're homeschooling or sending your little ones to school. Let it be a wonderful school year!

Giveaway at Confessions of a Homeschooler

Confessions of a Homeschooler is a blog that I've been following since this summer. I discovered that I'd be homeschooling my 4 year old when we moved to a new location in June '11 because we missed the registration deadline for the preschool we {my hubby & I} intended to send Julian to. Even though homeschooling was not something I anticipated on doing, I now feel that the Lord allowed this for several reasons. Since having our second son, John, I really struggled with the lack of time I was spending with Julian. I prayed for God to show me how to be a better mommy to him and to provide quality time that we could spend together. It has been a blessing for me to teach Julian the thorough curriculum that Erica provides through her blog. Most importantly though, I am blessed because God chose me to be Julian's mom, to teach him about Jesus. What greater blessing is there than to have the privilege to introduce your child to your Savior? I get goosebumps thinking about that visual.
We are on our fourth week of homeschooling. Julian loves doing "school work". One day this week, I was late in starting our day due to some extra chores around the house I couldn't let go of. I walked by the couch where Julian was sitting; he let out a deep sigh as he put his fist under his chin. "What's wrong Julian?", I asked.
"I'm ready to do some school work mommy." Julian stated with furrowed eyebrows. I laughed inside. The fact that only after 4 weeks of being at home with mommy to be homeschooled, he desires to learn.
Our morning routine is the boys' favorite. Even lil' John gets in on it. Julian knows the Pledge of Allegiance by heart now. He counts out the calendar date. Resights his Bible verse. He was just marching through the house this morning chanting,"I am the way and the truth and the life." It's amazing. If I were to send him off somewhere, another teacher would have the privilege of teaching him. Another teacher would have the opportunity to watch his delight as he discovers & masters new things. I want that privilege. I am very thankful that God saw fit to allow Julian to stay at home with me. And who knows, maybe this homeschooling thing...will be OUR thing.

P.S. I went off on my soapbox without announcing that there is a Giveaway on Erica's blog. Go check it out and enter!